CDB approves a grant to support the digitalization of Caribbean music

The Board of Directors of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant to support the digitalization of Caribbean music.

This intervention responds to the global shift to digital music distribution, which has placed the Caribbean music industry at a significant disadvantage on the international scene.

The introduction of digital music platforms and products has made it difficult for Caribbean music stakeholders to recover royalties from music sales. Many remain constrained by high levels of piracy that have come with the digital age. In addition, infrastructure essential for success in digital music distribution—including major regional record labels, music publishers and distributors—has been weak in the Caribbean.
The grant will fund a feasibility study to determine the viability of establishing a regional distribution platform for the Caribbean music sector. The study will determine the actual and potential size of the regional music and digital music markets, and the position of the Caribbean, compared to global content providers. The study will also consider the legislative, infrastructural and regulatory requirements for creating a digital music distribution platform.

CDB’s funding for this project totals USD150,000. The Association of Caribbean Copyright Societies will contribute USD20,000 and the Barbados Investment Development Corporation, USD16,000.